A Cozy Retreat into Fantasy: My Thoughts on Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Every now and then, a book comes along that feels like slipping into your favorite chair with a warm mug of coffee in hand. For me, Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree was just that—a delightful slice-of-life fantasy that turned out to be a perfect antidote for the frantic pace of everyday life. I stumbled upon it while scrolling through BookTok, and the blend of an orc warrior and a coffee shop drew me in quicker than I could say “latte.”
At its heart, Legends & Lattes is about Viv, a battle-weary orc leaving her life of bounties and bloodshed to open the first coffee shop in the bustling city of Thune. Yes, you read that right—coffee in a fantasy world! The premise alone is charming enough to pique curiosity, but Baldree takes us deeper as we witness Viv’s struggles to introduce something so foreign to her community. The humor in having a bunch of medieval townsfolk, oblivious to coffee, is adorably entertaining, setting the stage for the low-stakes stakes that the cover promises.
What truly resonated with me was the genuine warmth of the characters. From Thandri, the artistically inclined succubus with a heart of gold, to Thimble, the ratkin pastry chef who embodies a kind of quiet magic through his culinary creations, each character is lovingly fleshed out. Their development and interactions had me rooting for them in ways I didn’t expect. The journey of friendship, forgiveness, and hope is profound yet never heavy-handed, making it feel utterly relatable.
Baldree’s writing style is lush and descriptive without veering into the melodramatic. He skillfully immerses readers into the cozy atmosphere of Viv’s coffee shop, with details so vivid that I could almost smell the roasted beans filling the air. One of my favorite moments was when Viv’s past began to collide with her new dreams. It brought to life the idea that running a simple coffee shop can have its share of drama—old rivals lurking and challenging her resolution to embrace peace rather than violence.
It was hard not to chuckle at the camaraderie among Viv and her eclectic team, which carries the narrative through gentle ups and downs. As fellow blogger Genevieve Gornichec so rightly pointed out, this book is “a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug.” It’s a sentiment I echo wholeheartedly.
In short, Legends & Lattes is more than just a cozy fantasy; it’s a heartwarming reminder of the beauty in everyday life, the importance of community, and the transformative power of friendship. If you’re looking for a book that warms your heart and captures the essence of what it means to start afresh, this is the one for you.
Perfect for a rainy afternoon or curling up by a fire, I can see this being a comfort read for many. So, grab your favorite hot beverage, find a cozy spot, and enjoy your time in Thune. This book might just leave you wanting a coffee date with an orc, too!
You can find Legends & Lattes here >>